Police keeping the peace during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan (Photo by Zan Azlee, 2011).

Demonstrations happen on a regular basis in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, because they are still building their country and their government. It is actually a welcome sight because they are fighting for democracy.

I managed to witness a protest where opposition politicians and their supporters protested in front of the president’s office because they felt several members of parliament were illegally voted into offie and demanded for their sacking.

The photo above is of the Afghan National Police assisting the demonstrators and keeping them safe from the traffic and, of course, from any terrorist attacks (ie: the Taliban).

I even recorded the demonstration on video and interviewed several protestors and members of parliament.

Own a limited print of the photo above, framed (21cm x 30cm) and signed by yours truly for RM90. You can play a role in supporting independent journalism by clicking below.

If you are in Malaysia, you can also purchase by transferring RM110.00 (includes RM20 for postage and handling) to Maybank account 1141 2365 9174 via Maybank2U or ATM. Please make sure to e-mail (purchase.fatbidin@gmail.com):
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The Fat Bidin Podcast (Ep 45) – May day! May day!

May Day is the day when the whole world protests, demonstrates and rallies against… well… anything they want. And in Malaysia, it was all against GST (Goods and Services Tax). But do demonstrations serve any purpose in Malaysia anymore? Who knows. Aizyl decided to attend the demo in Kuala Lumpur while Zan chose to go on vacation instead. But they discuss it nonetheless.

The Fat Bidin Podcast (Ep 40) – #KitaLawan lagi… not as much lawan

Marching like a wedding procession was hilarious. But with #KitaLawan leaders hauled up by the police just before the demonstration really hurt the numbers. Are the police succeeding in turning the volume down on #KitaLawan?

Malaysia began its journey as an independent nation through protests and demonstrations organised by our founding fathers against the colonial masters.

It was democratic and peaceful, but the message the entire country sent to the British was powerful. They were not happy and tried as much as they could to suppress the dissent.

But of course, as we all know, they were unsuccessful and in August 1957, the British were forced to let go of our nation.

Unfortunately, the perception of this sacred democratic act today has been relegated to something negative, uncivilised and barbaric.
Those who partake in protests and demonstrations are labelled as hooligans and troublemakers, intent on destroying the daily lives of the rakyat.

Ironically, the same party that organised the protests and demonstrations to free our glorious nation are now stifling that same democratic element.

Is it just because now, these activities are mainly done to protest and demonstrate against them? So have the tides turned that they are now forced to suppress dissent?

Shouldn’t they embrace the tradition that brought us to independence instead of totally erasing it from their memories? Isn’t that a form of ungratefulness?

FAT BIDIN PODCASTS!

The Fat Bidin Film Club (Ep 19) - Michael Moore has a new film out? Really?

Zan and Aizyl is NOT reviewing Ant-Man! Instead, they are talking about Michael Moore and his documentary films. They are shocked to find out that he has a new film out called 'Where to Invade Next'. His last film was six years ago and nobody knew he was working on a new one.

A whole episode condemning the decision to suspend The Edge. Aiyo… who are the ones who should be investigated here?

ADVENTURES OF A KL-ITE IN AFGHANISTAN (A GRAPHIC NOVEL)

'Adventures of a KL-ite in Afghanistan' is one of the many retellings of Zan Azlee's travels in Afghanistan. He is a multimedia journalist who has been to many conflict zones including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey and Southern Thailand. Nevertheless, he still cowers like a coward when he hears gunfire!

Zan was keen to find out more about the war-torn country, and what it might be like to be there. Armed with only his camera gear and an open mind, he travels to Afghanistan with no idea what he is getting himself to. He ends up meeting many interesting figures, visits several 'tourist spots', and even gets embedded with the Malaysian army in Afghanistan.

Illustrated by Arif Rafhan Othman.

Visit http://fatbidin.com/afghanistan/ for more info. Or head on to http://fatbidin.com/store/ to purchase the book online.

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About

My name is Zan Azlee. I’m a MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST, DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER, WRITER and a NEW MEDIA CONTENT CONSULTANT. I'm a mass-comm LECTURER at several local universites. I run FAT BIDIN MEDIA. I'm currenly also SENIOR EDITOR for DIGITAL MEDIA at ASTRO AWANI.
*My views and opinions do not represent the views and opinions of the company/organisations I work or am attached with.